Dougie Freedman happy to play it tough when looking to build his Bolton Wanderers squad

DOUGIE Freedman has no qualms about taking a tough stance to build for the future at Wanderers.

The Whites manager admits he has had to make some difficult calls this summer already as he continues to restructure his squad with experienced senior players Zat Knight, Tyrone Mears and Chris Eagles among those told they can leave.

A year ago he had to make a similarly big call to release longstanding skipper Kevin Davies after a decade at the Whites and he has continued to make big decisions this close season as he looks to mould a squad that can do better than last season’s 14th-placed Championship finish.

He believes it is important to look to the future sensibly, particularly with new Financial Fair Play regulations hanging over every club and their transfer dealings.

Freedman told The Bolton News: “I have had to make some tough decisions this summer to move on four or five players.

“Some big wages have left and they were tough calls to make but that’s what I have to do balance the books.

“You have to do that to start building a team and that’s what we are in the process of doing.”

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